# NTSB DEN90LA077: Cessna 182J, N3372F, Delta, CO, March 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1990, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Delta, CO
- Coordinates: 38.739906, -108.070251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7399&lon=-108.0703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA077

## Probable cause

A DETERIORATED FUEL LINE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, taxi - to takeoff
  - fuel system,line - deteriorated (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak
  - fluid,fuel - fire
  - fuselage,firewall - burned

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS BACK TAXING FOR TAKEOFF AND DISCOVERED AN ENGINE FIRE. HE CALLED ON UNICOM THAT THE PLANE WAS ON FIRE. HE EXITED AND WAS MET BY TWO MEN WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE PLANE WAS TOWED OFF THE RUNWAY. A POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT A FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE HAD DETERIORATED AND BEGAN TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MUFFLER, IGNITING A FIRE WHICH DAMAGED MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL. THE LOG BOOK PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE OF RECENT WORK IN THIS AREA, AND SHOWED 71 FLIGHT HOURS SINCE THE LAST INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3372F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3372F), registered now, S/N 18257372, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182J
- Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-57372
- Airframe hours: 2804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George W. Dixon
- Registered owner: George W Dixon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0V2, SALIDA, CO
- Destination: 0V2
- Airport: 1V9, Blake Field, runway 21, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 84 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900321009959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900321009959A), Mar 21, 1990: Cessna 182J, Delta, CO, Substantial damage. Engine fire during taxi for takeoff. Fire put out by FBO. Found flexible fuel line to carb leaked fuel onto exhaust

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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